Why The Move?

I've been asked countless times by friends and family why I'm making the move from Texas to Virginia. I could just say "Because I want to..." but doesn't explain anything. My friend, Renee moved with her family to Virginia back in 2007 and asked me to go with her. I. of course said no because I could not imagine leaving my life in Texas. Moving across the country like that is nerve-racking and very scary. Over the years, I thought about it more and more. Every time I'd come close to putting the plan into action, I'd let fear take over and back out. Texas is my safety net because it's always been home. No matter what kind of problem I come across, I have someone here to bail me out. I've never taken any risks or tried to venture out on something new and I believe that's partially because I am so used to my life just the way it is here.

The exact moment I realized moving away from my comfort zone was the best decision for me, I was at home alone trying to get another chapter finished in my 2nd book. So far my character had moved away from home and started a life for himself in California. He did things he never thought he could do and finally had the dream career he always wanted. Call it a cliche if you want, but it donned on me that the only reason I hadn't moved to Virginia yet was because I was afraid of my dreams failing. I knew right then what I had to do. I had to leave Texas. I called up Renee and told her I wanted to move there and I wasn't backing out this time. She, of course was stoked about it and that's when the planning began.

The truth is, I need this move. I need to start over. I need to find myself and the potential of what I can do. I need the chance to spread my wings and really give my dreams a shot at survival. It may not make sense to some people but it makes perfect sense to me. Moving to Virginia, I will be on my own. I will have no choice but to grow up and live my life. How long will I live there? I have no idea. Maybe a year or 2 or maybe I live the rest of my life there. Maybe I will even come across another opportunity and move somewhere else. Life is one big adventure and you gotta live it up, or what's the point in living at all?

The Thoughts In My Head

This was a Facebook post I wrote last year when I had my cat, Kingston.

7:30 Thur morn: Cat headbutts me to get up and feed him, Fri Night: Cat loses fight with papasan chair, Mon night: Cat gets high on catnip and runs head first into wall trying to attack its own shadow, Tues Night: Cat farts in my face cuz I wont rub his belly. Tonight: Cat steps on my Cheesy Gordita Crunch! Moral Of Story: Be smart.... get a dog!~ ME FEB18.2010

Pictures at random

Virginia!

The sunrise is beautiful




Thats a small village near Salem, Va


My friends daughter, Babs and their beagle, Doogal!

It's Meeko!

My Baby Meeko!

 
 

Pictures of Me

My Very Own Videos

Videos made by me

Videos I like

These are videos that I like.

Works in Progress

So... I started my new novel series. Not sure of the title yet, but it's a zombie series. It's going to be about a girl who joins a team of zombie hunters and discovers a rude awakening about the world and the dark secrets of her fathers past. I will keep you updated as I continue!

What is Beyond Texas?

Beyond Texas is...

Richmond, Virginia. 
Departure from Texas: October 30, 2011 at 5:30am.
Wish me luck!




Here's just a few things from the to-do list I gave myself to start in my new life: (not necessarily in this order)

1. Take a belly dancing class
2. Join a roller derby league
3. Make as many new friends as I can
4. Learn to live healthier and lose some weight
5. Take an acting class
6. Audition for a play
7. Buy a keyboard and work on music
8. Write an entire book series
9. Fall in love
10. Take more risks in life
11. Buy a car
12. Buy a house
13. Go on a ghost hunt
14. Road trip!
15. Learn a thing or two about video production...

That's a few in a looong list and I'm setting out to accomplish every single one!!

Write Now

Quotes from me and ones that inspire me!


I do not possess the ability to draw or paint.

I cant sing or dance.

I can’t knit or sew.

 but I am an artist.

I have the ability to  put onto paper, words that tell an intriguing story.

I am a writer.

A writer is someone who, with just words, can paint a beautiful picture.

A writer can open up a world of imagination you didn’t realize was possible. 

When you open up a book and become so consumed in the story, you feel like you’re a part of it… you’re standing next to that character and feeling the same way that character feels,

that’s the art of a writer.

I am an artist.

My  inspiration is the world around me.

My paintbrush is my words.

My easel is my computer.

My canvas is the mind of my reader.  ~Me

Don't judge me by my family. They don't define who I was or who I've become.

Don't judge me by my friends. They don't control what I do or what I've done.

Don't judge me by my job. It pays my bills and keeps me fed.

Don't judge me by my home. It's a safe place to lay my head.

Don't judge my soul. It's bruised but getting stronger everyday.

Don't judge my thoughts. They will not be tampered by what you say. 

Don't judge me by my looks. God thinks I'm beautiful and loves me unconditionally.

Don't judge me by my faith. It's more powerful than your judgement will ever be  ~Me

"What is normal? Normal is only ordinary; mediocre. Life belongs to the rare, exceptional individual who dares to be different."

— V.C. Andrews

Don't offer me a smile if you don't plan on acknowledging me. Don't offer me your name if you don't plan on befriending me. Don't offer me your hand if you don't plan on guiding me. Don't offer me your heart if you don't plan on loving me.  ~Me

Art cannot be simply stated. It cannot be flawed. Art cannot be given one name, one description. Art is undefined. Whether is painting a picture, capturing a moment through a lens or unveiling a world through words... art has no boundaries! An artist to our own nature... We live art, We breath Art! ~ ME

Let go of the past, hope for the future and live the present gloriously.~ ME

“When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.” – Lao Tzu

Whatever you can do, or dream you can, Begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it, Begin it now.- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.~ Helen Keller

Burning like the Phoenix, my soul lights the path to my future. It shall not be tarnished by the triumpths of life but flourish in every possible way.~ME

About Bri

Name: Aubrey

Pen Name: Bri Justine
B-Day: August 18, 1986
State: Tx
Job: Writer
Twitter: RinkyDinkyBri
Facebook: RinkyDinkyBri

Auto-Biography


I was born August 18, 1986 in Fort Worth, Texas to Debra Becker. I never met my father. Being a young single mother, my mom spent most of her time partying and out with friends rather than taking care of her child, so my grandparents raised me and eventually gained custody of me. You can say I grew up with a lot of emotional issues. Living without my mother, never knowing my father and living with a grandfather who worked all the time and a grandmother who never wanted to raise me in the first place took it's toll on me. I have a younger brother who was also raised by my grandparents. We were lucky to at least have our uncle Dwayne. He was the only father-figure we had and we cherished the time spent with him. Growing up with a grandma who knew nothing about raising a girl in the 90's, I went to school with barely brushed hair and "dorky" clothes. I became the focus of the other student's bullying. Elementary and middle school were hell for me. Kids can be very cruel. When I reached 6th grade, I grew very close to my English teacher, Mrs. Elliott. She taught me how to write and started what would become my number 1 passion. She showed me how to release my emotions in words. I learned that I could create unimaginable worlds in stories and even if it was only for a moment, I could escape from reality.

People don't realize how bad bullying can really affect a person but I can say from experience, it can rip through a person and leave them feeling useless and unwanted. It's a serious problem in our society and is the cause for many suicides in young adults. I hated school more than anything. My grandma literally had to force me to go to school everyday. The bullying towards me was everything from name calling, laughing at me, pushing me down, physically hurting me and tormenting me day to day. The one thing I will never forget is when a boy approached me at lunch with his friends and told me I should go home and kill myself because no one wanted me there and everyone would be happier with me gone. You wouldn't know the pain a person experiences by hearing that unless it's spoken to you.

When I wasn't in English class, I spent most of my time in the counselors office with Mrs. Massey. She knew how bad school was for me so she let me hang out in her office as often as I wanted. Her office became my safe haven. Well, in 8th grade Mrs. Massey left and a new counselor came in. She did not like me spending all my time in her office. She told me it was unhealthy and I needed to make friends with kids my own age so she enrolled me in Drama class. I was mortified. I spent the last 2 years successfully making myself invisible and now this woman wants me to face the kids who made me feel worthless?

Apparently, she did. :/ Well, there I was, sitting in the very back of the class, sweat beads pouring down my face and praying the teacher doesn't call my name. Praying, I guess was the wrong choice because one day, the teacher called my name. She made me get up on stage and act. Before I did, she told me to pretend the class was filled with all my friends, like everyone was there to watch me. Easier said than done, but I got my tiny script, read over it and when it was time to perform, I took a deep breath and read my lines. To my surprise, the class liked it. They all laughed and clapped and for once, I was glad I wasn't invisible. I'd love to say that the bullying stopped outside of drama class but it didn't. It did get easier though. I had a small group of friends and eventually fell in love with acting.

Just as I was starting to make friends and actually enjoy some parts of school, my mom (who I finally got to live with) told me we were moving out of the school district. I wasn't too upset though. Moving to a new school was a chance for me to make a new impression on people. The kids at the new school were a lot nicer than my original school. I made twice as many friends and some boys even flirted with me. I continued acting some through high school but I think I was more excited about the newly-gained social life I had. I do regret not sticking with acting but I don't regret how my life turned out. After high school, I didn't go to college. I just started working and have been ever since. I have a lot of goals I hope to reach and it's now or never so I'm going for it now. Wish me luck!